For many fertility doctors and patients, this is the standard IVF protocol

This schedule shows the main steps and timing of IVF drugs, approximate timing of ovarian stimulation monitoring, and procedures.

This example is for a 28 day menstrual cycle. Birth control pills are not being used to control the menstrual cycle in this example.

For cycles using a birth control pill (BCP or OCP), we usually give 12-21 days of pills overlapping Lupron with the last 3 pills. A period starts a few days after the last pill. Ovarian stimulation shots start soon thereafter.

Key to table:

Blood and ultrasound = blood test for hormone values (estrogen levels in IVF stimulation are important) and transvaginal ultrasound to measure the follicle sizes in the ovaries. These visits usually take about 20-30 minutes in our offices and can be scheduled as early as 6:30AM.

Lupron = subcutaneous injection of a medication called Lupron (GnRH agonist). This medication is taken once daily.

HCG injection = subcutaneous or intramuscular injection of a medication called HCG, which causes the eggs to complete the maturation process. This is taken only once in the cycle.

Progesterone = vaginal cream or suppositories or intramuscular injection of a medication (female hormone) called progesterone. This drug helps to prepare a receptive uterine lining for embryo implantation.

The example above is a typical IVF cycle. Most patients will need about 4 visits for monitoring the stimulation (shown as "Blood and Ultrasound" on the calendar) before they get the HCG trigger shot. Some patients will need only 3 monitoring visits and some require 5 or 6 visits. It depends on the woman's response to the medications.

The duration of the ovarian stimulation process can be shorter or longer than that shown above. The example above shows 8 days of stimulation drugs (FSH shots) before the HCG trigger shot. The average number of days of taking the FSH injections is 9-10, with the general range being 7-14.

IVF Due Date Calculator

As far as calculating a due date after IVF, the most accurate method is to add 266 days (or 38 weeks) to the day of the egg retrieval. The eggs are fertilized that day, which is the same as "day 14" - the day of ovulation and fertilization in a "normal" 28 day menstrual cycle.

Adding the 14 days to the 266 days gives 280 days, or 40 weeks. The due date is traditionally set at 40 weeks from the first day of the last menstrual period in a normal pregnancy (in a woman with 28 day cycles).

At our clinic, we use an Excel spreadsheet to calculate the exact due date for our pregnant patients. We enter the date of the egg retrieval procedure and the spreadsheet adds 266 days and gives us the "due date", or EDC (estimated date of confinement).

To do this manually with a calendar - count 38 weeks from the day of the egg retrieval to get the due date after in vitro fertilization.